Switches for use with flexible printed circuits



Oct. 31, 1967 w. L. FRY 3,350,530

SWITCHES FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS Filed Oct. 25, 1966 United States Patent 3,350,530 SWHTCHES FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS William Lawrence Fry, Birmingham, England, assignor to Joseph Lucas (industries) Limited, Birmingham, England, a British company Filed Oct. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 589,372 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Dec. 16, 1965,

53,391/ 65 4 Claims. (Cl. 200-166) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A switch for utilization with flexible printed circuits and which switch comprises a base member having projections thereon over which exposed portions of flexible printed circuits are placed, fixed contacts provided that engage the projections and movable contacts arranged for cooperation with the fixed contacts and in which the fixed contacts are carried by first insulating molding that is fixed relative to the base and the movable contacts are carried by a second insulating molding which is angularly movable relative to the base.

This invention relates to switches for use with flexible printed circuits.

A switch according to the invention comprises in combination a base having thereon projections over which exposed portions of the flexible printed circuits are placed in use, fixed contacts engaging the projections, and movable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts.

One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a switch, FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the switch shown in FIGURE 1, and FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the switch shown in FIGURE 1 but with parts thereof omitted for clarity.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a base 11 having formed integrally therewith a plurality of projections 12 arranged in a circular row. Each projection is wider and longer at its base than its top, and has a groove 13 formed in its top surface. A plurality of flexible printed circuits 14 extend radially from the base 11, each circuit 14 passing over a projection 12 so as to lie in the groove 13 thereof, and the conductors in the circuits 14 being exposed where they pass over the projections 12.

Engaged with each of the projections is an annular insulating disc 15 having therein slots 16. At the ends of the projections are integral ribs 17 with which the ends of the slots 16 engage, the arrangement being such that when the disc 15 is in position it prevents movement of the circuit 14, relative to the base 11.

Secured to the base 11 is a contact block 18 which is formed on its lower surface with a plurality of recesses 18a each of which houses a resilient contact 19. The contacts 19 include a pair of arms which engage the inclined sides of the projections to make good connections to the circuit 14.

The contacts 19 are secured in their respective recesses 18a by rivets 21 which extend through the block 18, the heads of the rivets 21 being shaped to define contact surfaces 22 on the upper surface of the block 18. A rotor 23 is pivotally connected to the block 18, and carries contacts 24 which cooperate with the contact surfaces 22 as the rotor is moved angularly, to interconnect different combinations of the circuits 14.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch for use with flexible printed circuits comprising in combination a base having thereon projections over which exposed portions of the flexible printed circuits are placed, fixed contacts engaging the projections, and movable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts.

2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 including an insulating member which engages the projections to clamp the flexible printed circuits relative thereto.

3. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixed contacts are carried by a first insulating moulding which is fixed relative to the base, and the movable contacts are carried by a second insulating moulding which is angularly movable relative to the base.

4. A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein each fixed contact comprises a conductive resilient member, which grips the exposed portion of its respective flexible printed circuit, and a conductive rivet, which secures said member to the first insulating moulding, the end of the rivet remote from said member being engaged by the movable contacts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,854,502 9/1958 Richter 339-17 3,102,767 9/1963 Schneck 339-17 3,114,587 12/1963 Herrmann 339-17 3,278,887 10/1966 Travis 339-17 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SWITCH FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS COMPRISING AN COMBINATION A BASE HAVING THEREON PROJECTIONS OVER WHICH EXPOSED PORTIONS OF THE FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS ARE PLACED, FIXED CONTACTS ENGAGING THE PROJECTIONS, AND MOVABLE CONTACTS COOPERATING WITH FIXED CONTACTS. 